TRENTON - At a very public appearance a day after being indicted on corruption and bribery charges, Mayor Tony Mack tried his best to enjoy a small bit of holiday cheer at City Hall’s annual Tree Lighting event, Friday night.

“That first song, I really needed that one, “There’s a Hero,” I really needed that one,” said Mack after a duo from Trenton High West performed the Mariah Carey single. “And it reached everywhere I needed it to reach,” he continued.

The annual event did not culminate with much fan fair. The audience of approximately 30 individuals comprised journalists, a handful of senior citizens and one council member who stayed briefly, only to hear the performance by the talented teens.

“The audience tells it,” said Council President Phyllis Holly-Ward when asked if the Mayor should have selected another representative to preside over the festivities.

Federal officials arrested Mack Sept. 10 on charges he and his codefendants conspired to extort over $100,000 from a Hudson County developer. The mayor has been under federal investigation since September 2010 and is free on $150,000 unsecured bail.

Mayor Mack wore a smile and bounced his head to the beat as he listened to Christmas carols, sitting in the front row flanked by no supporters, family, friends or directors from his administration.

“I ask that you pray for our good city, we have to do it together,” the mayor said during his opening speech to the audience. “It doesn’t take one person, but many to make Trenton great.”

Those who did turn out for the festive affair were treated to uplifting renditions of classic holiday songs, sung by Trenton West High School Glee Club representatives Sara Abdelmalak, 17, and Matthew Richards,17, who were both unaware of the recent federal charges against the city leader.

A scheduled poetry reading by Ladee Soul Tha Poet was canceled last minute for unknown reasons. In years past, the holiday event had been robust with local entertainment such as marching bands and cultural dancers.

At the end of the short-musical program, Mayor Mack walked from the atrium towards the towering Norwegian Spruce hoisted outside the front steps of City Hall. The tree was donated by Hugh White who allowed Trenton’s city personnel to cut the 25 foot tall tree from the grounds of his Pennington home.

The top city official flipped the switch which illuminated the more than 100 tiny tree lights, officially kicking off the holiday season in Trenton.

Mack would not answer questions regarding his indictment or looming arraignment, scheduled for next week, according to a source. When asked what his holiday plans will entail, or if the recent events surrounding his involvement in an alleged bribery scheme would put a damper on holiday celebrations with his family, the mayor replied, “Please stop bugging me.”